ASCL Essential Principles

1. ASCL Essential Principles • The Earth is surrounded by a thin atmosphere that sustains life. • Solar energy drives many atmospheric processes. • Atmospheric circulations transport gases, particles, and energy. • The atmosphere changes over time and space giving rise to weather and climate. • The atmosphere constantly interacts with other components of the Earth system. • Though measurement and the application of physical principles, humans can understand and predict the behavior of the atmosphere. • The atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked.

2. The Earth is surrounded by a thin atmosphere that sustains life • 27 The Earth is surrounded by a thin, fragile atmosphere that sustains life • 8 The atmosphere is a thin gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth • 4 the atmosphere is made up of gases and particles • 3 an atmosphere is the gaseous envelope that surrounds planets • 2 The atmosphere and life are interconnected • 2 atmosphere is unique and makes Earth habitable • 2 humans and all organisms are interconnected with the atmosphere • 9 the atmosphere co-evolved with life • 3 the atmosphere is essential for life • 2 Plants use content in the atmosphere to build life • 1 the atmosphere has 5 layers • AT - Although I “voted” for a different “what is the atmosphere (envelope of gas)” item, I would like to incorporate the words “unique” and “one atmosphere” from other “candidates” in that group. • AT - Life influences and is influenced by the atmosphere, not just humans • AT - Life on Earth co-evolved with its environment and is (humans are) dependent on an atmosphere with certain physical, chemical, and radiative properties

3. Solar energy drives many atmospheric processes • 27 Solar energy drives atmospheric processes • 12 The cycling of energy has profound effects on the atmosphere • 6 Energy form the Sun drives the atmosphere

4. Atmospheric circulations transport gases, particles, and energy • 24 Atmosphere is a fluid that transports heat and matter, water, particles • 16 The Sun and Earth’s rotation drive the atmospheric circulation • 6 The cycling of water has profound affects on the atmosphere • 3 The atmosphere is an agent of transport

5. The atmosphere changes over time and space giving rise to weather and climate • 22 - The atmosphere changes over time and space • 16 – Changes in the atmosphere take place on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales • 4 The atmosphere is dynamic and changes at different rates, the composition changes, it varies from location to location, small changes can have transformational effects • 2 Weather and climate vary in time and space • 2 There is one atmosphere that varies depending on location and at different timescales. Weather and climate are different but inextricably connected • 1 Atmospheric processes vary over many scales • 1 The atmosphere changes through time and space • 5 the atmosphere [brings] weather and climate • 1 weather effects us daily • AT - Should weather be elevated to EP? Most accessible to people

6. The atmosphere constantly interacts with other components of the Earth system • 26 The atmosphere is one of many Earth systems and interacts with other systems • 13 There is exchange between the atm, hydrosphere, oceans and biosphere. The atmosphere is constantly changing energy and matter with other spheres • 12 The atmosphere is a variable dynamic and complex system • 8 The atmosphere interacts with all other Earth system spheres • 5 The atmosphere is part of the Earth’s system • 3 The atmosphere is part of the Earth system

7. Though measurement and the application of physical principles, humans can understand and predict the behavior of the atmosphere • 19 The atmosphere can be studied and understood • 2 Nature of science – how we know what we know • 1 how do we study the atmosphere? From space – essential to ESS

8. The atmosphere and humans are inextricably linked • 37 Humans influence and are influenced by the atmosphere • 4 The atmosphere and humans are inextricably interconnected • 2 Humans change atmosphere; atmosphere changes over time • 2 humans and all organisms are interconnected with the atmosphere • AT - Our understanding of the atmosphere and climate informs social action and policy that is vital to the quality and continuity of life on Earth now and in the future • AT - Aesthetic considerations – lightning, rainbows and glories

9. Top EPs • 37 Humans influence and are influenced by the atmosphere • 27 The Earth is surrounded by a thin, fragile atmosphere that sustains life • 8 The atmosphere is a thin gaseous envelope that surrounds the Earth • 27 Solar energy drives atmospheric processes • 12 The cycling of energy has profound effects on the atmosphere • 26 The atmosphere is one of many Earth systems and interacts with other systems • 12 The atmosphere is a variable dynamic and complex system • 13 There is exchange between the atm, hydrosphere, oceans and biosphere. The atmosphere is constantly changing energy and matter with other spheres • 8 The atmosphere interacts with all other Earth system spheres • 22 - The atmosphere changes over time and space • 16 – Changes in the atmosphere take place on a wide range of temporal and spatial scales • 24 Atmosphere is a fluid that transports heat and matter, water, particles • 16 The Sun and Earth’s rotation drive the atmospheric circulation • 19 The atmosphere can be studied and understood • 9 The atmosphere co-evolved with life